Synthetic experiments related to the indole alkaloids V. mercuric acetate oxidation of 2-[2-(3-indolyl)ethyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinolines and the formation of benz[a]indolo[3,2-h]quinolizine derivatives

Oxidation of 2-2-(3-indolyl)ethyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline (I) with mercuric acetate gave 5,6,8,9,14,14b-hexahydrobenza]indolo3,2-h]quinolizine (IV) and 8,9-dihydro-14H-benza]indolo3,2-h]quinolizin-7-ium iodide (VI), as well as starting material. The base (IV) was oxidized with iodine and potassium acetate to VI and on Palladium carbon - maleic acid dehydrogenation yielded 5,6-dihydro-14H-benza]indolo3,2-h]-quinolizin-7-ium iodide (IX), and 14H-benza]indolo3,2-h]quinolizin-7-ium iodide (X). Heating the iodide (VI) with Palladium-carbon brought about an irreversible rearrangement to VII and both these salts with base yielded the red anhydro base 8, 9-dihydrobenza]indolo3,2-h]quinolizine (VIII). This base was also obtained from IV by oxidation in air. The corresponding 8, 9-dehydroanhydro base (XI), benza]indolo3,2-h]quinolizine, was readily obtained from X and alkali. The quinolizinium salts (VI), (VII), and (IX), on catalytic, zinc dust and acetic acid, or sodium borohydride reduction, regenerated the base (IV). Selenium degradation of IV gave, among other products, 1-(2-ethylphenyl)-β-carboline. An analogous series of products was obtained with the 6, 7-dimethoxy derivative of I. Various other aspects of these and related transformations are described.